While most data indicates that avalanche activity has become unlikely and that the snowpack continues to settle and consolidate, some isolated areas of unstable snow may still exist. A few small isolated wind slabs may still linger in complex or extreme terrain where the recent N-NE winds did reach or in areas where the snowpack sits on an unsupported slope. These areas could include those tempting filled-in looking couliors or hanging snowfields with cliffs below them. Keep in mind that after the recent winds, if a near treeline or above treeline area looks nicely filled in, wind slabs likely exist in that area.

The weak sugary layers of snow (facets) below the surface on northerly aspects represent the other lingering issue. Like those small isolated wind slabs, avalanche activity involving these layers has become unlikely but not impossible. Still these layers bear watching as they could reactivate later on. Getting a good handle on where these layers exist now will make for more informed decision making when more snow arrives in the mountains.

It is still early season and numerous exposed or barely covered rocks, stumps, and other season-ending obstacles exist out there. Even though the avalanche danger has decreased, these hazards remain.

Yesterday observations from Chickadee Ridge in the Mt. Rose backcountry and Red Lake Peak near Carson Pass showed continued settlement and consolidation in the snowpack. On Red Lake Peak previous N-NE winds had scoured many of the traditionally wind loaded N-NE-E aspects near ridgelines and redeposited that snow onto more southwesterly aspects. The wind slabs formed by this wind loading remained small and shallow and did not extend very far down slope. Data collected from northerly aspects on Red Lake Peak and on Chickadee Ridge continues to reveal layers of weaker more sugary snow (facets) in the bottom half of the snowpack.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

weather summary

Temperatures started a warming trend yesterday that should last through this week. Many of the upper elevation weather stations reported overnight lows above freezing while most of the lower elevation stations reporting colder overnight lows with some temperatures in the 20's. As the day warms up, this temperature inversion should lift. The forecast calls for daytime highs in the mid to upper 40's above 7000 ft. today and tomorrow. A weak high pressure ridge building over the region should keep the weather warm and dry for the next several days. The northerly winds should start to shift towards the west and decrease in strength as this ridge establishes itself over the next 36 hours. Some high clouds may accompany this ridge, but they should not bring any additional precipitation to the area.

Weather observations from along the Sierra Crest between 8200 ft. and 8800 ft.

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Reno NWS

For 7000 ft. to 8000 ft.

Wednesday

Wednesday Night

Thursday

Weather:

Sunny

Clear then becoming partly cloudy

Partly cloudy

Temperatures:

42 to 49 deg. F.

27 to 33 deg. F.

43 to 50 deg. F.

Mid Slope Winds:

Northwest

Southeast becoming variable

West

Wind Speed:

10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph

10 to 15 mph becoming light overnight

10 to 15 mph

Expected snowfall:

0

0

0

For 8000 ft. to 9000 ft.

Wednesday

Wednesday Night

Thursday

Weather:

Sunny

Clear then becoming partly cloudy

Partly cloudy

Temperatures:

39 to 46 deg. F.

23 to 30 deg. F.

40 to 47 deg. F.

Ridge Top Winds:

Northwest

North shifting to the west after midnight

West

Wind Speed:

20 to 30 mph with gusts to 50 mph

25 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph after midnight

15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph

Expected snowfall:

0

0

0

Disclaimer

This avalanche advisory is provided through a partnership between the Tahoe National Forest and the Sierra Avalanche Center. This advisory covers the Central Sierra Nevada Mountains between Yuba Pass on the north and Ebbetts Pass on the south. Click here for a map of the forecast area. This advisory applies only to backcountry areas outside established ski area boundaries. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This advisory expires 24 hours after the posted time unless otherwise noted. The information in this advisory is provided by the USDA Forest Service who is solely responsible for its content.

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This website is owned and maintained by the non-profit arm of the Sierra Avalanche Center. Some of the content is updated by the USDA avalanche forecasters including the forecasts and some observational data. The USDA is not responsible for any advertising, fund-raising events/information, or sponsorship information, or other content not related to the forecasts and the data pertaining to the forecasts.